Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education Confirms Education Budget Increase Will Not Cut Free Nutritious Meal Programme Allocation
The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) has confirmed that the education budget increase for 2026 will not reduce allocation of funds for the Free Nutritious Meal Programme (MBG).
Secretary-General of Kemendikdasmen Suharti stated that the budget increase received by the ministry this year is aimed at supporting the directive programmes of President Prabowo Subianto.
“The education budget is currently in the process of being increased for the President’s directive programmes, which is under discussion. This will certainly increase the budget allocation for Kemendikdasmen and will not be disrupted by the funds already allocated for the MBG,” said Suharti after opening the Policy Dialogue event for Kemendikdasmen in South Tangerang City, Banten Province, on Monday, 2 March.
She further explained that the education budget increase will be used to expand the number of beneficiaries of several priority programmes of Kemendikdasmen that receive direct guidance from the President.
These include digitisation of learning through the distribution of digital interactive boards (PID), revitalisation of educational units, and provision of welfare allowances for teachers.
“The process is underway for budget increases for the President’s directive programmes, such as the President’s statement regarding school revitalisation with an expansion of 60,000 educational units, and the provision of interactive boards at three per school—all of this is currently under discussion,” said Suharti.
Earlier on Thursday, 19 February, Minister of Basic and Secondary Education Abdul Mu’ti affirmed that the Free Nutritious Meal Programme (MBG) does not reduce the education budget of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.
He assured that all strategic education programmes continue to run and are even being expanded.
“If there is an assumption that the MBG reduces the education budget, we state clearly that this is not true. The President’s programmes related to education are being implemented as well as possible,” said Abdul Mu’ti.
He emphasised that the MBG does not stand alone but is an integral part of the Seven Great Indonesian Habits programme, which includes healthy living habits, worship, enthusiasm for learning, and community engagement.
“The MBG policy is an integral part of the Seven Great Indonesian Habits programme. Nutritious eating is not just about nutrition but part of character formation,” stressed the minister, who is also known as Secretary-General of the Muhammadiyah Central Board.